Easter will be inducted into NC Tennis Hall of Fame

Wednesday

Jan 9, 2013 at 12:01 AMJan 10, 2013 at 9:04 PM

Plenty of tennis talent has blossomed in Lexington over the past 50 years.

BY JASON QUEENThe Dispatch

Plenty of tennis talent has blossomed in Lexington over the past 50 years.Though he passed away six years ago, Parks Easter will be recognized later this month for his impact on developing that talent.In a ceremony Jan. 26 at the Carolina Hotel at Pinehurst Resort, Easter will be inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame.His son, Ken Easter, indicated how proud the family is to see Parks recognized for his lifetime of hard work. "The family's quite excited that they are going to recognize him for his time and effort in the game of tennis," he said. Easter's dedication to the sport, which turned into a lifelong passion, started very early. In 1941, he started a tennis team at Lexington High School. Because it was a new sport, he served as the organizer, head coach, and No. 1 singles player on the team. He then went on to play at the University of North Carolina before serving in the Navy during World War II.After completing his degree in 1948, Easter returned home to Lexington with a new initiative: he wanted to build adequate courts in his home town. Together with Dr. Bill Bingham, they made that a reality. The Bingham Tennis Center still serves as the Yellow Jackets' home court.Easter coached Lexington tennis at the high school level in various increments from 1956 to 1982. Aside from the high school team, he dedicated his life to developing skills and a love for the game in young players coming up in the area.He created, organized and directed a summer youth clinic for boys and girls of all ages, and that camp is still active today.But, Ken is quick to point out, Parks had plenty of help. "I think if he was still with us, he would say he was very humbled and honored by this recognition," he said. "But he would also say that he was just one of many people in this town that played a significant role in developing the tennis program."I think most people that knew him in those days would say he was the main cog in the wheel. But there were many … and we don't want anyone in this town to think that Parks Easter was the only one involved in developing tennis."Parks understood how tough it could be to get involved in the game that he grew to love. He was introduced to the game by his older brother, Howard, who gave him a busted racquet that was held together by a nail. He was fortunate to have exposure to the sport at a very early age, but when he became an adult, he understood that was not the case for all young people in this area.Because of that, he made it his life's mission to make the sport available to as many young people as possible. "Because of his love for the game, he wanted everyone that was interested, to have the opportunity to learn to play; especially kids," he said. "That's really where his heart was."Not only his own children, but he wanted all kids to be exposed to the game of tennis."As a player, Easter won over 50 Lexington City Championships, including 10 men's open singles titles. In 2008, he was inducted into the Davidson County Sports Hall of Fame.Easter also noted that his father will become the third person with Lexington ties to be inducted into the North Carolina Tennis Hall of Fame, joining Camey Timberlake Dillon and Carilyle Lewis as members of the Hall.Jason Queen can be reached at 249-3981, ext. 220 or jason.queen@the-dispatch.com.